Impact of the Haiti crisis on mobility: Relocations from the Metropolitan Area of Port-au-Prince

This report analyzes population mobility patterns in Haiti's Metropolitan Area of Port-au-Prince (ZMPP) from January 2020 to April 2024, using anonymous mobile phone data. The study reveals significant demographic shifts driven by ongoing crisis conditions including gang violence and instability.

The analysis shows that between February and April 2024, there was a net outflow of 17,370 people from the ZMPP, with main destinations being other parts of the West department (Kenscoff, Gressier, Léogâne), Les Cayes, Jacmel, and Cap Haitien. Within the ZMPP, the largest population decreases occurred in Turgeau, Thor, and Bellevue sections, while increases were observed in St Martin and Morne l'Hôpital sections.

The report documents that for the first time, the ZMPP population dropped below 3 million in April 2024, reaching 2,998,020 people - lower than during the 2020 COVID-19 restrictions when approximately 50,000 people had left for rural areas. Since 2021, the ZMPP has lost around 72,000 people due to internal mobility, representing a 0.59% annual decline.

The study reveals cyclical patterns of movement with alternating periods of net inflows and outflows since 2020, influenced by COVID-19 restrictions, gang violence episodes, and road blockades. The data indicates that relocation flows are likely underestimated, suggesting the actual population displacement may be significantly higher than reported figures.